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DougE's avatar
DougE
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015

Texas Revising Inspection Procedure

Texas is changing their inspection procedure. Now when you get your vehicle inspection the inspection station notifies the DMV that your inspection has been satisfactorily completed. The DMV in turn will not issue a new registration (license renewal) until this notice has been received. The net result is that you will now only have one windshield sticker required for operating the vehicle on the road (and motorcycles will be able to get rid of that tacky inspection sticker holder).
There is an initial problem, probably quite common among the older RV community, that your inspection is not in the same sequence (expiration month) that your license registration is. Trying to determine the rules of getting these two requirements in sync is confusing but there is a solution. On the Texas Two-Step One-Sticker Resource website, on the right side of the page, there is a calculator. If you put in your registration and inspection expiration dates it will give you the date your next inspection is required.
  • Will be interesting to see if they enforce this on TTs and 5ers and any other trailer over 5,000 lbs rating. They are already supposed to be inspected, but seems few actually do.


    They may not check often but.....A few years back (2010 maybe) I was on US 277 between Del Rio and Sonora when I was waved into an inspection station being ran by the Sheriff, and State Police (no Border Patrol). They were inspecting all trailers and commercial trucks. They ask for my Drivers License, insurance, and registration but then waved we on through because I had NM plates. The TX 5er in front of me was being sent over for the full inspection along with all the oil field trucks.
  • Will be interesting to see if they enforce this on TTs and 5ers and any other trailer over 5,000 lbs rating. They are already supposed to be inspected, but seems few actually do.
  • From the "Texas Two-Step One-Sticker..." website:

    Special Circumstances

    Out of State Motorists

    If your vehicle is out of state and you are unable to complete a Texas vehicle inspection in order to renew your registration, you will be able to self-certify that the vehicle is out of state and will be permitted to register. The self-certification process will be limited to:

    Active duty military
    Full-time students
    Seasonal Texans, RV'ers
    Apportioned vehicles
    Elected Congressional officials

    You will be able to renew your registration using self-certification online, by mail or in-person. Please contact your county tax office for more information about their requirements for out-of-state registration renewal. To find the contact information for your county of residence, please visit the TxDMV website.

    If you renew your vehicle registration using the out-of-state self-certification option, a remark will be placed on your vehicle record indicating that an inspection is still due. Once you return to the state, you must complete a Texas vehicle inspection within three days of arrival at your home, duty station, or destination. It is very important that you keep the VIR issued after completing your inspection in case you are stopped by law enforcement before the remark is removed from your vehicle record, which takes about 48 hours. The remark will only be removed upon payment of the state’s portion of the inspection fee and verification of a current, passing inspection.
    (emphasis added)
  • I went to the link provided by DougE and this is not the information that has been on the news. My inspection and registration each expire in December and from the link I will have to have an inspection. THIS IS NOT what has been put out on the news! While I am all for one sticker, I sure hope this doesn't end up being a MESS!
  • DougE wrote:
    Texas is changing their inspection procedure. Now when you get your vehicle inspection the inspection station notifies the DMV that your inspection has been satisfactorily completed. The DMV in turn will not issue a new registration (license renewal) until this notice has been received.


    I wonder how this will affect the full timers who call Texas home but may not be in the state for several years. How will they renew their registration?
  • Sounds confusing. Glad Indiana did away with vehicle inspections years ago. I remember when they did require inspection, but that didn't stop anyone from driving. Then I also remember when they dissolved the inspection requirement ... and I think everyone had a little way too much to drink that day! What a party! ;)

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